A Muggle's Laboratory

Part 1

After the completion of my degree, I started working at Manchester Royal Infirmary as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Central Specimen Reception. Central specimen reception is where the laboratory receives all the different types of patient samples. This ranges from urine, CSF, swabs, sputum and blood samples. Once the samples have been received they are booked in and sorted according to their test type and the discipline where it will get tested in.

I then started working in the Immunology laboratory as a MLA. During my time in the Immunology department at Manchester, I got the opportunity to develop myself professionally. I learned about the use of calibrations, why it is used, and the importance of their use. I learned about the different types of quality controls you can get and why it is important to run the quality controls before a patient sample. I got the opportunity to use a variety of analysers, including the analyser which took part in testing for Covid Antibodies.

Whilst working as an MLA I started my top-up modules at Aston University, after getting my degree assessed by the IBMS. This is due to my undergraduate degree not being accredited by the IBMS. To become a Biomedical Scientist, the degree you do must be an IBMS accredited course. After completing the required top-up modules and meeting the correct requirements to have an IBMS accredited degree, I started applying for Trainee positions. I was successful in my fifth interview and here I am; A Trainee Biomedical Scientist in Immunology!!

As a Trainee Biomedical scientist, I am completing my registration portfolio to become a registered Biomedical Scientist. The IBMS registration portfolio covers the HCPC standards of proficiency. As a trainee, I must demonstrate that I meet the HCPC standards of proficiency by completing the required modules in the portfolio by providing evidence. I do my portfolio at work and during my own time. I have a training officer who is mentoring me through this and meet her on a regular basis.

I am currently on my first module which is on “Personal responsibility and Development,” it is quite an interesting module as I am gaining an understanding of the responsibility and expected behaviour of a biomedical scientist and how it can impact my job and service users. I have set myself a goal to have this module completed by the end of this months and hopefully start module 2 in August.

I hope everyone enjoyed this little piece. I am looking forward to be sharing my thoughts whilst my completing my training. Also new case studies and future blogs are in the works. So, do subscribe so you can stay updated on my journey and future post!!

Thank you,

Muneebah